Over eight thousand Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) workers are on strike and picketing in communities across Manitoba, with thousands more on the picket line across the country. PSAC has stated it has been without a contract for the past two years, and has reached an impasse. It is holding out for better wages to help with the rising cost of living. With the job action now underway, this will mean some federal services will have delays and interruptions.
Regional Connections Settlement Services Executive Director Steve Reynolds explained what this means for newcomers and the immigration sector.
"Here at Regional Connections, our direct services for clients continue unaffected, so all of our staff are available, and offices are open and settlement, and employment supports, and English classes, and everything we're running here will continue to run, but we do expect the strikes to have some impacts for newcomers and the community at large as well."
He listed a few areas of concern.
"The Federal Immigration Department, for example, has announced to expect delays on things like applications to extend a stay in Canada, or various immigration applications. They're going to be rescheduling Canadian citizenship events. We also know Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will not be processing passport services right now, and have announced to expect delays there as well. And a lot of people are in the process, or have recently, submitted their income tax for the past year, and are expecting delays for processing tax returns as well."
Reynolds wants people to know Regional Connections' staff is available to help navigate through these challenges.
"So, a few different things that are likely to affect newcomers in the community, and our staff are happy to explain some of that, and talk to people about where they can still submit applications, or documentation, or find information online. Websites are still up and running, but some of the processing the federal departments do is likely to be delayed now."
According to Reynolds, he has heard from some federal institutions, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Canada Child Benefit, Refugee financial supports are deemed as essential services and should not be interrupted.
"Service Canada, they have told us their Morden office, for the region, is still open and staffed. We also work with them. They provide outreach services to Altona at Regional Connections in Altona and that will continue as scheduled. And we have been working in Carman, there will be an outreach visit to Carman for some applications and processing and Service Canada let us know, that's still going ahead. We will be coming to Carman and coordinating with Service Canada on an outreach visit there."
Information and service availability may change in the coming days, as the strike continues, or a settlement is reached. Regional Connections is open and available to answer questions the community may have, especially those pertaining to immigration and settlement.